Multi-pocket card holder and wallet structure

ABSTRACT

A multi-pocket card holder especially suitable for wallets comprises a backing panel having a plurality of card pocket panel sections thereon each of which has a top edge exposed in staggered relation to the other sections. At least one of the sections has a lower edge concealed and contiguous to the backing panel with one or more anchoring tabs each extending from the lower edge into a respective opening in the backing panel. One or more of the pocketed card holders may be incorporated in a wallet.

United States Patent 1191 Graetz [45] Dec. 11, 1973 MULTI-POCKET CARD HOLDER AND WALLET STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Herbert Graetz, 440 Prospect,

Elmhurst, lll. 60126 2211 1119111 Jan. 24, 1972 12-11 Appl.No.:220,ll6

[52] U.S. Cl 150/35, 40/1242, 29/446,

150/39 511 1m. (:1. A45C 11/18 581 Field of Search 40/1242, 104.19; 150/39, 35, 34, 30, 38; 29/451, 513, 446

[56] Reterences' Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,280,820 10/1966 Miller 40/124.2 3,659,640 5/1972 Fenster 150/35 3,165,135 1/1965 Mintzes 150/38 2,495,931 1/1950 Harvey 150/35 2,406,672 8/1946 Dingman 150/39 X 2,219,807 10/1940 Buxton 150 39 2,828,975 4/1958 Wright 150/39 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 532,779 9/1955 Italy 40/104.19

Primary ExaminerDonald F. Norton AttorneyCarlton Hill et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A multi-pocket card holder especially suitable for wallets comprises a backing panel having a plurality of card pocket panel sections thereon each of which has a top edge exposed in staggered relation to the other sections. At least one of the sections has a lower edge concealed and contiguous to the backing panel with one or more anchoring tabs each extending from the lower edge into a respective opening in the backing panel. One or more of the pocketed card holders may be incorporated in a wallet.

16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MULTI-POCKET CARD HOLDER AND WALLET STRUCTURE This invention relates to multi-pocket card holders such as may be used for conveniently segregating identification cards, credit cards, calling cards, and the like, and is more particularly concerned with such card holders especially suitable for incorporation in or with wallet structures.

Wallets are commonly made of thin thermoplastic sheet material such as vinyl, with the several parts joined by heat sealing. Bulkiness has been a particular problem in wallet structures, resulting from overlapping panels of the material. In addition, in a multipocket card holder assembly and attachment of the several pocket sections to a backing panel has presented problems in not only the initial assembly to attain reasonably square and properly orientedrelationship of the sections, but also in the securing of the lower edges of the sections to the backing panel to segregate one panel from the other, that is, to prevent cards inserted in'one pocket from slipping into the next lower pocket.

An important object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing and other disadvantages, defects, inefficiencies, shortcomings and problems in prior card holders and methods of making the same and in wallet structures embodying the same, and to attain important advantages and improvements as will hereinafter become apparent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved multi-pocket card holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved arrangement in multi-pocket card holders for minimizing bulkiness in the thickness of the assembly.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mounting of multi-pocket card holder sections on a backing panel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of assembling multi-pocket card holder sections with a backing panel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved multi-pocket card holder in a wallet structure.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure, and in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary plan view of a wallet structure embodying features of the invention, with certain parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative line drawing illustration showing the assembly relationship of parts taken substantially along the line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the backing panel on which the pocket sections of the device are mounted; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one of the pocket sections as it appears before assembly with the backing panel.

In one practical form a multi-pocket card holder 5, as depicted in FIG. 1, is constructed and arranged as part of a wallet structure 7. In this instance the wallet 7 is of the upright side folding type, and the card holder is especially constructed to be in efficient unitary permanent assembly with the other components of the wallet. Nevertheless, it will be evident that in addition to this special utility of the card holder 5, it may, if preferred, be assembled as a removable insert in a desired form of wallet. The card holder may also be used as a permanent component of a top or bottom folding wallet.

In the illustrated example, the card holder 5 comprises a backing panel 8 providing a plurality of card holding pockets, in this instance six such pockets, although a smaller or greater number of pockets may be provided, as desired. In a preferred construction, at least most of the pockets are provided by a plurality of preferably identical card pocket panel sections 9 mounted on the backing panel 8 in staggered overlapping relation with respective upper edges 10 exposed and respective lower edges 11 concealed in the assembly and contiguous to the backing panel. Along the edges 10, the panels 9 remain unconnected to one another and to the backing panel to enable access into the respective pockets defined at the inner sides of the pocket sections 9. To facilitate manipulation of the upper edges 10 for entry into the pockets, such edges are preferably defined by reverse ribbing l2 therealong as best visualized in FIG. 2, providing a beaded effect.

To facilitate mounting of the pocket panel sections 9 on the backing panel 8, anchoring means are provided at the lower edges 11 of the sections comprising open ings 13 in the backing panel and tabs 14 extending from the lower edges 11 into the openings. In a preferred construction, the openings 13 comprise respective slits extending transversely in the panel 8 and disposed in spaced parallel relation in a set corresponding to the number of the panels 9 and respectively located for parallel matching alignment with the respective lower edges 11 of the pocket sections 9. In a preferred arrangement there are two transversely spaced sets of the slits 13 with the slits of each set linearly aligned with the slits of the other set so that when the respective lower edges 11 of the pocket sections 9 are laid on the aligned slits, the sections will be in the proper staggered parallel edge orientation.

To effect efficient, positive anchoring interlock of the tabs 14 in the slits 13, the tabs are desirably of a width at juncture with the respective panel section edges 11 in fairly close but free clearance relation to the lengths of the slits 13 in which received, and with the widths of each of the tabs beyond the juncture greater than the juncture width so that after full insertion of each tab in its slit, the tab will interlock with the ends of the slit and resist withdrawal from the slit. In a preferred structure, the tabs are, for this purpose, of generally dovetail form in plan with their distal ends of greatest width and providing generally convergently related opposite side edges 15 serving as cams to draw the tabs into the slits until the narrow neck junctures of the tabs with the edge 11 coincide with the respective slits and thereby attain a positive orientation of the respective pocket sections 9 with respect to one another and to the backing panel 8. By reason of the resilient pliability of the material of the respective sections 9, as well as of the backing panel 8, suitable distortion of the panel 8 at the respective slits 13 to open the same receptively and squeezing together or bending under of the tab side wings to enter the respective slits is easily effected during assembly, and the resilience or memory factor of the material promptly returns the distorted elements to the original planes thereof for effective interlock of the tabs within the slits. Not only do the tabs 14 in their interlocked relation with the panel 8 effect bottom edge anchorage for the pocket panel sections 9, but they also provide pocket bottom stops for the lower edges of cards inserted into the respective pockets behind the sections 9.

ln a preferred method of making the card holder 5, suitable thermoplastic sheet material S is punctured with the properly oriented sets of the slits 13 either before or after the panel 8 has been trimmed to size, but preferably before such trimming and while the panel 8 is connected as a panel area with other like panel areas in a strip of the sheet material as represented in FIG. 3. Then, before the panel 8 has been trimmed from the material S, or thereafter, if preferred, the pocket panel sections 9, preformed as shown in H0. 4, are assembled with the backing panel by connecting the respective tabs 14 into the slits l3, desirably starting with the uppermost slits for the uppermost panel section and then successively applying the lower panel sections which, after assembly, lie in laminar relation to one another and to the panel 8. ln back of the sheet S carrying the pocket sections 9 on the backing panel areas 8 is then assembled a sheet of the material to provide a liner 17 for the back of the panel 8. Also assembled with the pocket section carrying sheet S is a strip of material to provide a lower pocket panel section 18 having an upper edge 19 provided with ribbing '20 similar to the ribbing 12 and with such edge 19 located in suitably spaced parallel relation to the upper edge of the lowest of the pocket sections 9. The assembly is then subjected to a heat sealing and trimming die which effects sealing of the sides of the panel sections 9 and 18 and the backing panel 8 as well as the liner 17 along one side and provides along that side and along an upper edge of the panel 8 a ribbed sealing edge 21. In the illustrated instance the edge 21 is along the right side and top of the backing panel. At the same time, the backing panel and the assembly of panel sections and liner therewith are separated from the sheet S on a tear seam 22 as is customary. Thereafter, the card holder assembly 5 is assembled with other components of the wallet 7 and united therewith by suitable heat sealing techniques. In the illustratedexample, the united assembly, comprising the backing panel 8 with the supported card-holding pockets and the liner 17 united therewith along the continuous side and top edge 21, is placed with its bottom margin and its margin opposite to the finished side edge 21 lappingly related to corresponding marginal portions of a side pocket panel 23 and a wallet back panel 24 in laminar relation and premanently united by a heat seal seam 25 along the top, bottom and outer side edges. At the same time that the seam 25 is made, a hinging seam 27 is formed along the juncture of the cover or back panel 24 with a corresponding foldably related cover or back panel 28 which may, if preferred, carry a duplicate of the assembly on the back or cover panel 24 but may be equipped in any other manner preferred such as to receive and support a memorandum pad, calendar, or the like. Along its inner side edge, the panel 23 is desirably provided with a finished rib edge 29 aligned with the side portion of the panel edge 21 and facilitating entry into the interface between the panels 23 and 24 as an inner side opening currency pocket while the interface between the card holer panel assembly 5 and the panel 23 provides an inner side and upwardly opening articlereceiving pocket to accommodate currency or elongated articles which may not be conveniently received in the card pockets provided by the panel sections 9 and 18. In addition, an identification or calling card pocket may be provided between the lower panel section 18 and a generally overlapping panel section 30 which may have its upper edge slightly spaced below the edge 19 and secured at its outer side and lower edges in the heat seal seam 25 while its inner side edge may be free as shown for greater yieldability'such as will enable carrying a small pack of calling cards rather than a single charge plate or similar card for which the pockets provided by the panel sections 9 are primarily intended. For convenience, the pocket panel section 30 may be of transparent material. In a generally preferred arrangement the remaining panel structures of the assembly are of an opaque material of preferred color.

It may be noted that in order to maintain the card holder assembly 5 as flat and thin as practicable and as free from bulkiness along the side edges of the staggered, overlapping pocket panels 9 as can be attained, the side margins of the panel sections 9 are trimmed with insets 31 relative to full extent upper marginal side extensions 32 which are of a width just sufficient to provide for the full intended staggered exposure of the upper margins of the pocket sections with only a small lower marginal portion or extent of the respective extensions 32 overlapped by the upper edge 10 or 19, as the case may be of the companion pocket sections. Through this arrangement, ample heat seal attachment of each of the pocket sections 19 is attained at the distal ends of the extensions 32 and the insets 31 provide thickness bulk relief along the side margins of the pocket holder assembly 5.

It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention.

1 claim as my invention:

1. A card holder of the character described, comprising:

a backing panel;

a plurality of like card pocket panel sections having opposite sides, a top edge and'a bottom edge;

' said panel sections being mounted on said backing panel in staggered overlapping relation with their respective top edges free and their bottom edges concealed and each panel section having a tab extending from its bottom edge; and

said backing panel having a set of respective openings into which said tabs extend.

2. A card holder according to claim 1, in which said openings comprise slits and said tabs have side edge means comprising respective cam edge surfaces on at least one side edge of each tab.

3. A card holder according to claim 2, said tabs being of generally dovetail shape and narrowest at their connection junctures with the body of the associated panel section, and said slits being of a length to receive said junctures in close clearance relation.

4. A card holder according to claim 1, wherein said backing panel has a lower margin and opposite side margins, the lowermost of said pocket panel sections having its bottom edge spaced from the lower edge of said backing panel, and a lower pocket panel section having opposite sides and a bottom edge permanently secured to said backing panel and providing with the lowermost of said first-mentioned pocket panels a further card holding pocket.

5. A card holder according to claim 4, including another card holding panel section superimposed upon said lower pocket panel section to provide a further card pocket and having a lower edge and a side edge permanently secured to said backing panel.

6. A card holder according to claim 1, including a liner attached to the back of said backing panel.

7. A card holder of the character described, comprisa backing panel; a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a

top edge and a bottom edge; said panel section being mounted on said backing panel with its top edge free and its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; and means anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising an opening in said backing panel and a tab extending from said bottom edge into said opening; said panel section having an upper margin along said top edge including side extensions permanently secured to the backing panel and of a width to be overlapped along their lower edges by the upper edge of an overlapping pocket panel section, the sides of said panel section below said extensions being inset and free from attachment to the backing panel. 8. A card holder of the character described, comprisa backing panel; a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a

top edge and a bottom edge; said panel section being mounted on said backing panel with its top edge free and its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; means anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising an opening in said backing panel and a tab extending from said bottom edge into said opening; a wallet structure including a first back panel and a hingedly connected second back panel to provide a folding wallet; means connecting said card holder backing panel with said wallet first back panel comprising a seam permanently securing an outer edge and a lower edge of the holder backing panel and of the wallet first back panel permanently together; and side and top edges of said holder backing panel opposite said outer and lower edges being free from attachment to the wallet first back panel and providing an article-receiving pocket behind the holder backing panel. 9. An assembly according to claim 8, including a liner attached to the back of said holder backing panel.

10. A card holder of the character described, comprising:

a backing panel; a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a

top edge and a bottom edge; said panel section being mounted on said backing panel with its top edge free substantially below an upper portion of said backing panel; said panel section having its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel;

means anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising an opening in the said backing panel contiguous to said bottom edge and a tab extending from said bottom edge into said opening; and 1 seams securing said opposite sides of the panel section permanently to said backing panel.

. 11. A card holder according to claim 10, including a plurality of like card pocket panel sections mounted on said backing panel in staggered overlapping relation with their respective top edges free and their bottom edges concealed and each of which has a tab, said backing panel having a set of respective openings into which said tabs extend, the sides of said panel sections having extensions with top edge portions aligned with said top edges of the panel sections and providing part of the exposed top edges of the panel sections, there being insets below said extensions, said insets being free from the backing panel, said side extensions being slightly wider than the exposed top edge portions of the extensions so that the top edge of an overlying panel section will overlap the lower portion of the extension of an underlying panel section.

12. A card holder according to claim 10, in which a pair of said openings is provided in transversely spaced alignment and said panel section bottom edge has a pair of generally dovetail shaped tabs respectively engaged in the openings, and the openings define a line along which said bottom edge is maintained in assembly with the backing panel.

13. A card holder according to claim 10, including a liner attached to the back of said backing panel.

14. A method of making a card holder of the character described, comprising:

providing a backing panel having a top end;

providing a card pocket panel section shorter than said backing panel and having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge;

mounting said panel section on said backing panel with its top edge free and substantially below said top end and its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; and

anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising passing a tab extending from said bottom edgeinto an opening in said backing panel. 15. A method of making a card holder of the character described, comprising:

providing a backing panel having a top end; providing a plurality of pocket panel sections each shorter than said backing panel and each having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge;

mounting said panel sections on said backing panel with their top edges free and substantially below said top end and with the top edges of the panel sections in staggered exposed relation and with bottom edges of all of the panel sections contiguous to the backing panel; and

anchoring all of the bottom edges of said backing panels comprising passing respective tabs extending from said bottom edges of the sections into respective openings in said backing panel.

16. A method of making a card holder of the character described, comprising:

providing a backing panel;

providing a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge;

7 8 mounting said panel section on said backing panel to the width of said tab at its juncture with the with its top edge free and its bottom edge contigupanel section and the tab being of greater width beous to said backing panel; yond the juncture than the length of the slit; and anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel including distorting the backing panel at the slit to comprising passing a tab extending from said botopen the slit and distorting the tab to enter the slit tom edge into an opening in said backing panel; and thereafter permitting the tab and the backing the material of the backing panel and of the panel panel to flatten out and effect interlocking of the section being resiliently pliable and said opening tab within the slit. comprising a slit of close clearance length relation 

1. A card holder of the character described, comprising: a backing panel; a plurality of like card pocket panel sections having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge; said panel sections being mounted on said backing panel in staggered overlapping relation with their respective top edges free and their bottom edges concealed and each panel section having a tab extending from its bottom edge; and said backing panel having a set of respective openings into which said tabs extend.
 2. A card holder according to claim 1, in which said openings comprise slits and said tabs have side edge means comprising respective cam edge surfaces on at least one side edge of each tab.
 3. A card holder according to claim 2, said tabs being of generally dovetail shape and narrowest at their connection junctures with the body of the associated panel section, and said slits being of a length to receive said junctures in close clearance relation.
 4. A card holder according to claim 1, wherein said backing panel has a lower margin and opposite side margins, the lowermost of said pocket panel sections having its bottom edge spaced from the lower edge of said backing panel, and a lower pocket panel section having opposite sides and a bottom edge permanently secured to said backing panel and providing with the lowermost of said first-mentioned pocket panels a further card holding pocket.
 5. A card holder according to claim 4, including another card holding panel section superimposed upon said lower pocket panel section to provide a further card pocket and having a lower edge and a side edge permanently secured to said backing panel.
 6. A card holder according to claim 1, including a liner attached to the back of said backing panel.
 7. A card holder of the character described, comprising: a backing panel; a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge; said panel section being mounted on said backing panel with its top edge free and its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; and means anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising an opening in said backing panel and a tab extending from said bottom edge into said opening; said panel section having an upper margin along said top edge including side extensions permanently secured to the backing panel and of a width to be overlapped along their loWer edges by the upper edge of an overlapping pocket panel section, the sides of said panel section below said extensions being inset and free from attachment to the backing panel.
 8. A card holder of the character described, comprising: a backing panel; a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge; said panel section being mounted on said backing panel with its top edge free and its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; means anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising an opening in said backing panel and a tab extending from said bottom edge into said opening; a wallet structure including a first back panel and a hingedly connected second back panel to provide a folding wallet; means connecting said card holder backing panel with said wallet first back panel comprising a seam permanently securing an outer edge and a lower edge of the holder backing panel and of the wallet first back panel permanently together; and side and top edges of said holder backing panel opposite said outer and lower edges being free from attachment to the wallet first back panel and providing an article-receiving pocket behind the holder backing panel.
 9. An assembly according to claim 8, including a liner attached to the back of said holder backing panel.
 10. A card holder of the character described, comprising: a backing panel; a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge; said panel section being mounted on said backing panel with its top edge free substantially below an upper portion of said backing panel; said panel section having its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; means anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising an opening in the said backing panel contiguous to said bottom edge and a tab extending from said bottom edge into said opening; and seams securing said opposite sides of the panel section permanently to said backing panel.
 11. A card holder according to claim 10, including a plurality of like card pocket panel sections mounted on said backing panel in staggered overlapping relation with their respective top edges free and their bottom edges concealed and each of which has a tab, said backing panel having a set of respective openings into which said tabs extend, the sides of said panel sections having extensions with top edge portions aligned with said top edges of the panel sections and providing part of the exposed top edges of the panel sections, there being insets below said extensions, said insets being free from the backing panel, said side extensions being slightly wider than the exposed top edge portions of the extensions so that the top edge of an overlying panel section will overlap the lower portion of the extension of an underlying panel section.
 12. A card holder according to claim 10, in which a pair of said openings is provided in transversely spaced alignment and said panel section bottom edge has a pair of generally dovetail shaped tabs respectively engaged in the openings, and the openings define a line along which said bottom edge is maintained in assembly with the backing panel.
 13. A card holder according to claim 10, including a liner attached to the back of said backing panel.
 14. A method of making a card holder of the character described, comprising: providing a backing panel having a top end; providing a card pocket panel section shorter than said backing panel and having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge; mounting said panel section on said backing panel with its top edge free and substantially below said top end and its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; and anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising passing a tab extending from said bottom edge into an opening in said backing panel.
 15. A method of making a card holder of the character described, comprising: proviDing a backing panel having a top end; providing a plurality of pocket panel sections each shorter than said backing panel and each having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge; mounting said panel sections on said backing panel with their top edges free and substantially below said top end and with the top edges of the panel sections in staggered exposed relation and with bottom edges of all of the panel sections contiguous to the backing panel; and anchoring all of the bottom edges of said backing panels comprising passing respective tabs extending from said bottom edges of the sections into respective openings in said backing panel.
 16. A method of making a card holder of the character described, comprising: providing a backing panel; providing a card pocket panel section having opposite sides, a top edge and a bottom edge; mounting said panel section on said backing panel with its top edge free and its bottom edge contiguous to said backing panel; anchoring said bottom edge to said backing panel comprising passing a tab extending from said bottom edge into an opening in said backing panel; the material of the backing panel and of the panel section being resiliently pliable and said opening comprising a slit of close clearance length relation to the width of said tab at its juncture with the panel section and the tab being of greater width beyond the juncture than the length of the slit; and including distorting the backing panel at the slit to open the slit and distorting the tab to enter the slit and thereafter permitting the tab and the backing panel to flatten out and effect interlocking of the tab within the slit. 